Process of filling teeth.



WiInesses. y 1. MM

G. A. BROUILLET.

PROCESS OF FILLING TEETH. APPLICATION FILED NOVJIO, 1914 Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

lnvenTor, Georges A. BrouiHeI,

b mwz Mum Aflys.

ononens A. 'BROUIVILLET, or nnooxnms, massnonusn'r'rs.

' PROCESS OF FILLING TEETH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed November 10, 1914. Serial No. 871,384.

To all *w/u'rm. it may cuncem v Be it known that I, GEORGES A. .BnoU1L- LET, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Brookline, county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Processes of Filling Teeth, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is aspecification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to provide a novel process of filling. teeth by which the operation of filling a cavity with any plastic filling can be greatly facilitated. There has developed in the practice of dentistry a so-calledporcelain filling which has many advantages when it is properly used. This type of filling material, however, is rather difiicult to manipulate because it sets very quickly and it cannot be molded or worked at all after it begins to set, and unless the dentist is very skilful and operates rapidlyan imperfect filling is likely to result.

My invention provides a novel process by which the filling of a cavity, and especially a side cavity, with this porcelain filling can be greatly facilitated.

In order to give an understanding of the invention, I have illustrated in the drawings a selected embodiment thereof which will 1 now be described, after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a matrix which may be used in practicing; Fi s. 2 and 3 are views showing the way in w ich the matrix is used and the way in which my improved method is carried out.

I have indicated three teeth at 1, 2 and 3, respectively, the tooth 2 being shown as I having a side cavity 4 therein. In filling ties.

this cavity in accordance with my improved method, I first provide a matrix 5 made of flexiblematerial and of a size to fit closely about thedefective tooth, and of a shape to present an extension 6 that projects beyond the grinding surface of the tooth when the matrix is in position. In the practical manufacture of these matrices, I purpose to make each matrix with two projections 6 situated opposite each other, but one projection only is necessary for filling many cavi- In carrying out my improved method the cavity 4 is first cleaned, as usual, and then the matrix 5 is applied to the tooth in such a position that the extension 6 will be situated on the side of the tooth having the cavity therein which, as herein illustrated, is the side of the tooth adjacent the tooth 3. The matrix will be of such a size, as above pointed out, that when it isplaced about the tooth the extension 6 will project beyond the grinding surface of the tooth. After the matrix 1s properly placed about the tooth, a wedge member 7 will preferably be inserted between the matrix and the tooth 3 near the um so. as to hold the matrix close to the toot 2 and separated from the tooth 3 at the gum Vhen the matrix is thus in position it forms the exterior,wall of the cavity 4: which may then be filled with the porcelain cement 8. This porcelain cement is mixed to make a plastic cementitious mass and when in this plastic state it is inserted into the cavity 4, the cavity being filled to the desired extent. This operation must be done comparatively quickly because this porcelain cement begins to set rapidly and a good filling cannot be made if the cement is worked at all after it begins to set. When the cavity has been properly filled, then the extension 6 adjacent the cavity is folded over on the top of the filling 8, asshown in Fig. 3, and this extension is held in its folded position either by the finger of the dentist, or by means of an instrument. such as shown in dotted lines at 9, for two or three minutes, or until the porcelain filling has set sufliciently so that it will not adhere to the matrix. In thus folding the extension 6 over -the exposed surface of the filling and holding it there, a slight pressure will be applied sufiicient to cause the matrix to bulge outwardly slightly, as at 10, until it contacts with the tooth 3, thus giving the filling 8 the proper shape at the approximal part to restore the desired natural contact between the teeth 2 and 3. When the filling is properly set, the matrix is removed and a filling 8 of the proper shape is thus produced.

The matrix 5 is of flexible material which will readily adapt itself to the desired shape of the filled tooth and which will permit the extension to be folded over, as shown, and will also preferably have a smooth interior surface so that when it is folded over against the filling it will give the exposed face of the latter a smooth surface, thus obviating the necessity of filing or scraping the surface of the filling to smooth the latter. I find that celluloid makes a. good material of which to make these matrices.

The matrix shown in Fig. 1 is also provided with extensions 11 at the sides so that if the cavity is one that extends below the gum and the matrix is applied to the tooth,-

the extension 11 will project down far enough to form a side wall for the cavitythroughout its entire extent without necessitating the crowding of the matrix upon the tooth to such an extent as to injure the gums. These extensions 11 will be trimmed ofi more or less by the dentist to fit" the particular tooth to which the matrix is to be applied.

' I claim:

' 1; The process offilling a compound cavity of a tooth which consists in placing about th'e'tooth to be filled an annular'matrix of flexible material having an extension on'the cavity side of the tooth, which extension projects beyond the'tooth, filling said cavity as bounded by the matrix with a cementi- I 'ti'ous filling, folding the extension of the matrix over the end of the tooth and into contact with the exposed portion of the filling, forcing the matrix at the fold thereof outwardly against the adjacent tooth, and

holding said extension in this position until the fillmg sets.

In tGStImOIIyWhGIGOf, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribin witnesses.

" GE RGES A. BROUILLET.

Witnesses:

"Louis C. SMITH,

' 'TnoMAs J. DRUMMOND. 

